Saravelos, S.H., Cocksedge, K.A. and Li, T-C. (2008) Prevalence and diagnosis of congenital uterine anomalies in women with reproductive failure: a critical appraisal. Human Reproduction Update, 14 (5). pp. 415-429. ISSN 1355-4786
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of congenital uterine anomalies in women with reproductive failure remains unclear, largely due to methodological bias. The aim of this review is to assess the diagnostic accuracy of different methodologies and estimate the prevalence of congenital uterine anomalies in women with infertility and recurrent miscarriage (RM). METHODS: Studies from 1950-2007 were identified through a computer MEDLINE search; all relevant references were further reviewed. RESULTS: The most accurate diagnostic procedures are combined hysteroscopy and laparoscopy, sonohysterography (SHG) and possibly three-dimensional ultrasound (3D US). Two-dimensional ultrasound (2D US) and hysterosalpingography (HSG) are less accurate and are thus inadequate for diagnostic purposes. Preliminary studies (n=24) suggest MRI is a relatively sensitive tool. A critical analysis of studies suggests that the prevalence of congenital uterine anomalies is ~6.7% [confidence interval (CI) 95%, 6.0 – 7.4] in the general population, ~7.3% (CI 95%, 6.7 – 7.9) in the infertile population and ~16.7% (CI 95%, 14.8 – 18.6) in the recurrent miscarriage (RM) population. The arcuate uterus is the commonest anomaly in the general and RM population. In contrast, the septate uterus is the commonest anomaly in the infertile population, suggesting a possible association. CONCLUSION: Women with RM have a high prevalence of congenital uterine anomalies and should be thoroughly investigated. HSG and/or 2D US can be used as an initial screening tool. Combined hysteroscopy and laparoscopy, SHG and 3D US can be used for a definitive diagnosis. The accuracy and practicality of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remains unclear.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. This is an author produced version of a paper published in "Human Reproduction Update". Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Congenital uterine anomalies, infertility, prevalence, recurrent miscarriage |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > The Medical School (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Repository Officer |
Date Deposited: | 10 Aug 2009 16:40 |
Last Modified: | 08 Feb 2013 16:58 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmn018 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Oxford University Press |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1093/humupd/dmn018 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:9074 |